Hidden Gems: Meet Raymond De Luna of Reibot Photography

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raymond De Luna.

Hi Raymond, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’ve always felt that I had a creative spirit. At a young age, I never imagined that using my creativity would become such an important part of my career—let alone that I’d become a photographer. I’ve always loved expressing myself creatively; it’s something I’ve always found fun and deeply satisfying. From middle school through college, I took classes to feed my artistic curiosity. Learning different aspects of art—from handcrafted skills and still drawings to graphic design—led me to where I am now. When you’re in the moment, enjoying the process of learning, you don’t really think about the future. At least, that’s how it was for me.
My first artistic leap was creating canvas paintings to sell and exhibit in galleries. I pursued this endeavor for about five years, until I got engaged to my girl at the time and realized it wouldn’t be sustainable. Completing a large-scale painting was very time-consuming, and I mostly worked on bigger pieces.
Soon after, I had a conversation with one of my good friends at one of my exhibition shows in Los Angeles about transitioning into something new. At the time, he worked in creative services for a major company, producing product and food photography & videography for multiple platforms. He told me, “Come to the studio, and I’ll teach you the basics.”
At first, I didn’t find product photography very appealing—it didn’t seem to have much artistic flair, in my opinion—but I decided to give it a try. It turned out to be quite an experience learning his tricks of the trade. When I walked into the studio, I was mesmerized by all the equipment and space he used. He taught me about composition, lighting techniques, how to properly set up the camera, and what was practical for certain scenes. It was definitely a learning curve, but I quickly became very interested in improving. I realized this could be a new, lucrative, and fun way to maintain that creative element in my life.
After that session, my friend encouraged me to take photos of different items around my home and practice shooting them in various ways—which I did while building my portfolio. Soon after, I began reaching out to companies to see if they needed photography services. Some were open to working with me, while others didn’t respond or weren’t interested—and that was okay, because I only needed a few “yeses” to get the ball rolling.
Eventually, I bought my own professional camera, strobes, C-stands, backdrops, props, and more. I had built my own little studio at home, which was a proud moment for me. As my skills grew, so did my experience, and my portfolio began to reflect the type of work I was capable of producing.
Now, it’s been about eight years since I became a full-time freelance product, food, and lifestyle photographer. This journey has been pretty awesome, to be honest—though it’s had its share of ups and downs. One thing I’ve learned through it all is to always keep an open mind, you just never know.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road to where I am today has not been easy. I’ve had to maintain a positive attitude and learn to celebrate the small victories along the way. Being your own boss is far from simple, but it’s deeply rewarding once you achieve a sense of consistency. One of the most challenging obstacles I faced was coming to terms with the fact that I couldn’t sustain the traditional “artist life.” I knew I didn’t want to return to a 9-to-5 job, as that would mean investing my energy into building someone else’s dream instead of pursuing my own creative path.
Another significant challenge was figuring out how to make my work sustainable. Once I secured a few clients on monthly retainers, I gained the stability and structure I needed to better manage my business. Around that time, I also realized that many other photographers’ portfolios showcased a more refined level of quality. I took that as motivation to elevate my own work.
Rather than purchasing all new equipment at once, I prioritized what was most essential and gradually upgraded over time. With each new investment and every completed project, I noticed my portfolio growing stronger and more professional.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Reibot Photography?
Reibot Photography is a creative service specializing in food, product, and lifestyle photography. I focus on capturing visually compelling images that highlight the appeal, quality, and story behind each brand’s products. My goal is to create photo assets that not only showcase an item’s features but also evoke emotion and communicate the essence of a brand’s identity. What sets my work apart is my meticulous attention to composition, lighting, and styling. I ensure that every product is presented in a way that captivates and connects with its intended audience—whether for advertising campaigns, e-commerce platforms, editorial use, or social media.
Before I began my photography career, my foundation was built on a deep passion for conceptualizing creative ideas and engaging in artistic pursuits. That same passion continues to drive me today and is reflected in the work I produce. I truly enjoy collaborating with different companies because each project allows me to explore new creative possibilities and bring out the best of my artistic perspective. I’m always open to offering feedback, sharing ideas, and embracing collaboration to achieve the strongest visual outcome.

We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success, to me, is the freedom to build something meaningful on my own terms. It’s about turning creativity into opportunity, learning from challenges, and continuing to grow without losing sight of the passion that started it all.

Pricing:

• A Package: $450.00-$500.00 This package consist of 1 product w/ 8 staged lifestyle photo assets. Along with creative direction with the set up. (Price range based on what type of product).
• B Package: $550.00- $650.00 This package consist of 2-3 products w/ 15 lifestyle staged photo assets. Along with creative direction with the set up. (Price range based on what type of product).
• C Package: $750.00- $850.00 This package consist of 4-5 products w/ 20 lifestyle staged photo assets. Along with creative direction with the set up. (Price range based on what type of product).
• D Package: $900.00- $1,150.00 This package consist of 6-8 products w/ unlimited lifestyle staged photo assets (based on the duration of the photoshoot. Along with creative direction with the set up. (Price range based on what type of product).
• These packages are not all of what I offer this a just a base understanding of my rates. Some projects are different than others.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.reibotart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by_reibot/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymond-m-de-luna-a93059201/